Table Talk · July 17, 2024
WHY BOTHER? If you have not had the opportunity, I encourage everyone to read Will Alexander’s article “Why Bother? Let Us Count The Ways” on caninechronicle.com – https://caninechronicle.com/?s=Why+Bother&x=14&y=8. Will’s article speaks the very words that I preach day-in and day-out! As exhibitors, we owe it to ourselves, our exhibits and the judges to do everything in our power to show our dogs in the best condition possible and to their maximum potential. If you are not interested in signing up for grooming a coated breed on a rainy or humid day, running around a muddy ring, knowing you are going to have a huge mess to contend with when your ring time is complete, requiring you to bathe that dog AGAIN if you are fortunate enough to win the breed, then you have a couple of choices: 1) hire an experienced, reputable handler, or 2) let your dog stay home on the couch!!! If you are up for the challenge, fantastic! Don’t let an attitude of “WHY BOTHER” be the only thing between your dog and that coveted Winners or Best Of Breed ribbon, and maybe something more!
I hear owner/handlers often complaining that they have been “beat by professional handlers”. Instead of blaming the results of the day on who was on the end of the lead, make sure you “bother” every time you take the dog in the ring. Make sure your dog is groomed properly, and the nails are done. Be certain your charge is in good condition, meaning it is in appropriate weight and muscle tone, and be sure it’s trained and presented as described in the standard. Grooming your dog does not become optional because the weather may be less than fabulous. You should always present your dog at its best. You owe it to yourself, your dog, and the judge.
I must make a confession. I miss the depth of quality of the Group and Best In Show lineups we saw immediately following COVID (and of course, before that, the good ole’ days when there were less shows with much larger entries). I remember watching the group and BIS lineups in Canfield when we came back from the COVID shutdown thinking it reminded me of the good old days! The depth of quality was so good because the shows were few and far between (by today’s standards). Oh, how I long for those deep Group and BIS lineups once again. It is unrealistic to think it is possible now with so many dog shows week-in and week-out. Last week in the Midwest I could have gone to three different clusters on THURSDAY that were within 250 miles of my house (by diehard fancier/road warrior standards, that distance is nothing). Those clusters drew 579, 596 and 792 dogs for their Thursday entry. If there would not have been three different shows in the area on Thursday, my guess is the entry (and the quality, chance for majors, etc.) would have been much greater.
As I sat at the Purina Booth on Tuesday of the Livonia Kennel Club show (the fifth of the five days) with zero booth traffic, I could not help but ask myself what we were doing there. The entry dropped nearly 1,000 dogs from Saturday to Monday and Tuesday and frankly, the show was a ghost town. The poor guys at the taco food truck left due to no business. Would it benefit exhibitors, dogs, and the sport in general if shows were not held Monday-Wednesday with the exception of Westminster and National Specialties?
I’d like to give a special shout-out to all the folks that played a part in the family friendly dog show that was held at the Bickford of Worthington Senior Assisted Living Facility recently. A resident of the facility wanted to be part of just one more dog show, and the facility and “dog people” banded together and made it happen! This, my friends, is what our community is all about! Kudos to all who had part in this beautiful effort.
I am thrilled to report that Ethan Coye is back running left-handed circles after his injury sustained while trying to capture a loose dog. Great to have you back, Ethan!
Kristin Lyons must have an angel on her shoulder as a tree fell on her RV in Marshall, Michigan. She was about a foot away from getting hit by it! All dogs and humans were not injured in this most unfortunate occurrence, but the motorhome is another story! It didn’t fare so well…
Those who will be joining us at the NRG Center in Houston for the World Series of Dog Shows should check your hotels! Some hotels sustained damage from Hurricane Beryl. Specifically, the Wyndham Hotel at 610 and Kirby sustained extensive damage. Make sure your hotel reservations are still valid, my friends!
We have several fanciers celebrating birthdays this week. Happy Birthday to: Paula Nykiel, Terri Erickson, Tammy Bohlke, Mari-Beth O’Neill, Susie Schafer, Barbara LaVere, Paul Clas, Angie Lloyd, Gino Pavopoulos, Kristin Lyons, and Mickey Feigelson. Make your day a great one by celebrating it with those you love.
Please remember to pause and take a moment to refill with the good things or you will find negative emotions overflow with no good reason. Take a moment to refill! It is the most important part of your day.
Lift as you climb! Ribbons are nice, but the biggest “flex” is winning together and creating an environment where others thrive, too.
Be safe in your travels, and I’ll see ya’ll in Houston! Until next time…
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